Lagos has been named the exclusive African partner city for the 2026 “Goes to Cannes” program. The initiative takes place during the 79th Cannes Film Festival and offers a major opportunity for African filmmakers.
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) will serve as the continent’s sole curator. The organization will represent Nigeria’s film ecosystem and the broader African cinema space at the Marché du Film in France.
The program will run from May 12 to 20 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. It provides a global platform for films that are in the final stages of production. As the designated partner, AFRIFF will select five to seven African feature films currently in post-production. These films will be presented to international distributors, financiers, sales agents, and festival programmers.
Filmmakers must present a 10-to-15-minute teaser of their projects. After the screening, they will participate in a live pitch session during a dedicated two-hour market window.
To qualify for the 2026 slate, projects must not have screened at any other international film festival. They must also not have been released on any public platform. AFRIFF plans to curate a diverse slate. Selected films may include social dramas, thrillers, documentaries, and animation.
This partnership follows a 2025 Memorandum of Understanding signed between AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy. The agreement aims to move Nigeria’s film industry from individual participation to a stronger institutional presence in global markets.
By joining partner cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo, Lagos strengthens its position as a key hub for global film investment. The initiative is expected to drive technical collaborations and international distribution deals for African filmmakers.
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